About The Church

Former Bishops

Throughout its history, the Mercy Seat Church family
has been served by some able and capable bishops.


Bishop James Howell
1874-1880 (President 1869-1874)
Bishop William Howell
1880-1881
Bishop John M. Bishop
1884-1912 (President 1882-1884)
Bishop George W. Taylor
1912-1924
First District Bishops

Bishop Freeman Watson
1924-1928
Bishop John Rice
1928-1937
Bishop J. M. Blackwell
1937-1941
Bishop George W. Taylor
1941-1958
Second District Bishops

Bishop Robert Ruffin
1923-1932
Bishop E. T. Veale
1932-1946
Bishop Richard Jones
1946-1958
After Reunification of Bishops

Bishop Thomas J. Johnson
1958-1963
Bishop Fred W. Pegram
1963-1968
Bishop David N. Hicks
1968-1979
Bishop George H. Studivant
1979-2014 (Longest serving Bishop)
Bishop John L. Ghee
2014-Present